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United States Patent | 5,754,118 |
Brunner | May 19, 1998 |
A switch matrix having internal redundancy by combining outputs of two internal channels to form one single internally redundant channel. 1 by N, M by 1 and M by N switch matrices may be constructed using the principles of the present invention. Each input signal line is coupled between a signal input and a terminating resistor and each output signal line is coupled between a signal output and a terminating resistor. Switching nodes are formed that comprise an input line, a plurality of output lines, and a plurality of pairs of couplers that are respectively interconnected by way of respective switches used to select the input line and couple it to a respective output line. Pairs of output signal lines are connected to a single signal output to form internally redundant channels. The nodes may include a second serially coupled switch connected between the input and output couplers to provide redundancy if either one of the switches fail in a closed state. Amplifiers may optionally be disposed in each of the output signal lines.
Inventors: | Brunner; Robert A. (Redondo Beach, CA) |
Assignee: | Hughes Electronics Corporation (El Segundo, CA) |
Appl. No.: | 621608 |
Filed: | March 25, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: | 340/2.23; 307/401; 307/415; 370/217; 370/220 |
Intern'l Class: | H04Q 019/00; H03K 017/80; H11C 013/02; G01R 031/08 |
Field of Search: | 340/825.79,826,827,825.16,825.01 307/401,415,98 365/129 370/217,354,218,380,360,219,220 379/271,272,273,291,306,335 |
4683564 | Jul., 1987 | Young et al. | 340/825. |
4737951 | Apr., 1988 | Kruger et al. | 370/58. |
4931802 | Jun., 1990 | Assal et al. | |
4978953 | Dec., 1990 | Hauge | 340/825. |
5198808 | Mar., 1993 | Kudo | 340/825. |